2020-21 Ski Season Progress Report as of December 10, 2020

October 2020 snowfall was mostly in Canada. In late October a storm dipped down the Continental Divide into Colorado and New Mexico. Snowfall totals are since November 1 aside from Wolf Creek and the Banff areas which opened significant terrain based upon October snow. Openings at some areas were delayed until enough lifts/terrain can be opened for COVID-19 social distancing despite an above average first half of November for snow. The first widespread storms hit the West first weekend of November, with South Tahoe, Utah and Wolf Creek being the big winners. During the second week of November the Northwest and US Northern Rockies got 3-4 feet, with lesser amounts in adjacent regions. Third week of November snowfall hit mainly the Northwest and western Canada. Areas over half open for Thanksgiving were Wolf Creek 98%, Lake Louise 67%, Sunshine 62%, Sun Peaks 77%, Mt. Baker 82%, Crystal 56%, Lookout Pass 58% and Grand Targhee 60%. Note that aside from Wolf Creek's microclimate, all of these areas are among those most favored by the ongoing La Nina. A massive ridge of high pressure built in western North America in late November, lasting into this week. Normal weather and average snowfall will return to most of the West by this weekend and likely for the rest of December. However, many areas are 2-3 weeks behind schedule on snow so current open terrain is very limited. COVID-19 restrictions based upon open lifts/terrain mean that destination resorts in California, Utah and Colorado should be avoided until after the holidays.

California: There was no snow in October. The early November storm was 8-10 inches in North Tahoe and peaked SW of the lake with 20 inches at Sierra-Tahoe. Mammoth opened 5% Nov. 13 with 14 inches new plus cold temperatures for snowmaking. After a few more inches before Thanksgiving, there has been no snow since so skiing will be dependent on snowmaking for awhile even with up to a foot predicted over the next week. Northstar is 24% open. Avoid this region until there is much more natural snow. See Current California Ski Conditions for more details on Southern California and Mammoth.

Pacific Northwest: Crystal, Mt. Hood and Mt. Bachelor reported minimal snow through the first week of November. But it dumped heavily the rest of November. Mt. Baker is 100% open on a 48-59 inch base. The first week of December was dry but snow has resumed this week.

Canadian Rockies and Interior B.C.: October snowfall was significant only in this region, with gradual additions in early November but more through the rest of the month. This was the only region with new snow in early December. Sun Peaks is 84% open and Silver Star 92% on 3 foot bases. Western Canada is likely to have the best holiday conditions.

U. S. Northern Rockies: Montana had October snow but mostly east of the Continental Divide, 45 inches at Red Lodge. Great Divide opened a couple of runs with snowmaking assistance Oct. 31 but lost them to warm weather the next week. Second week of November it snowed 3-4 feet in Montana and Wyoming and 2 feet in Idaho. It snowed 1-2 feet during the second half of November. Early December has been mostly dry though new snow is expected soon. Base depths are 3 feet in the Tetons, but more like 2 feet elsewhere and Bridger has delayed opening.

Utah: Utah was extremely dry in October but got 2+ feet over the first weekend of November and a similar amount through the second week. There was less than a foot during the second half of November and so far in December though new snow is expected later this week. I expect gradual expansion of open terrain over the rest of December and Utah is unlikely to see full operation before January.

Northern and Central Colorado: This was possibly the first October in over 25 years with no ski area open despite a late October storm averaging 10 inches. The dry summer may have limited water for snowmaking at A-Basin and Loveland. Keystone opened Nov. 6, A-Basin Nov. 9, Breckenridge and Loveland Nov. 13. November snowfall was below average so with social distancing requirements Copper opened Nov. 30, Steamboat Dec. 1 and Winter Park Dec. 3. The late openings plus the recent dry period are red flags to avoid this region until at least after the holidays even though normal snowfall will resume soon.

Southern and Western Colorado: A late October storm dropped 13 inches at the Gothic Snow Lab and 22 inches at Monarch and Taos. Wolf Creek got 39 inches in October and with localized southwest storms reached 98% open by November 15. The rest of the region had a below average November and all had a dry early December, so most open terrain is on snowmaking. Gradual improvement is likely going forward in December but full operation at most areas is unlikely until well after the holidays.

Northeast: Northern Vermont got 1+ foot at the start of November but most of the month was warm. Thus openings were delayed to Nov. 13 at Killington and Nov. 21 at Sunday River and Sugarloaf, with social distancing also being a factor. December progress is slow with mixed snow and rain resulting in low trail counts. Percents open: Okemo 16%, Hunter 16%, Sunday River 16%, Sugarloaf 10%, Tremblant 11%.

Directory of Ski Report Links

All content herein copyright Š 1996-2020 Bestsnow.net
All Rights Reserved.
No copies or reproductions may be made in whole or in part without express permission by Tony Crocker.
Prices for commercial users will be determined based upon intended use and distribution.